I'm a patient, energetic, understanding, highly-motivated teacher who loves training people to accomplish their musical goals. I teach from the experience of a songwriter and performer, someone who started off as an ear-based, self-taught guitarist and has worked his way up to to a BA in Composition, recorded and released music for three Seattle rock bands, and performs regularly. This diverse background makes me relatiable to students with all different learning styles, interests, and skill sets. It's very important to me for my students to not just know one thing, but to look at music from every possible angle, to become well-rounded, intriguingly cool musicians.

EXPERIENCE

I teach for several different schools in the Seattle area in addition to Musika. I've taught mandolin to an elderly woman who wanted to sing German folk songs to her grandkids, I've taught piano and ukulele to kindergartners, I've helped teenagers write their own songs and perform them to peers, and I've helped dads in their thirties to relive the glory days of Shoegaze and Grunge. With all of these students, I've helped them love the subtle, intricate, surprising parts of music and how to not only play music, but have their life enriched by it and share that with others. In everything from reading music (both traditional methods and modern methods), ear-training, rhythmic drills, performance techniques, songwriting, and theory, I want you to get the very most out of our lessons.

METHODS USED

Guitar: For beginners who are kids, I usually start with the FJH Beginner Guitar Method, while also implementing fun melodies they know that can be played on single strings. Once the student has progressed a bit, we will work in chords, more advanced rhythms, and songs appropriate for a recital. For older beginners, I usually start with Hal Leonard's Complete Guitar Method, while again finding songs that match their musical taste and working towards their specific goals (i.e., I really want to start a punk band with my friends next summer, or I'd love to play this Taylor Swift song at the school talent show). For adults, I always start off with the list of five: five songs and/or artists that inspire them. This gives me an idea of what they want to be learning in the coming months, and I create a path for them that leads that direction, from the very first step. We will spend a lot of time on the fundamentals (scales, chords, rhythm, sight-reading) but all in the interest of using these tools on the songs they love. Piano: Faber and Faber Book series, pop melodies, etc. (similar to above) Ukulele, Bass, Mandolin: Hal Leonard Method books, pop/rock/bluegrass riffs (similar to above). I also love working Sagreras' First Lessons on Guitar for Classical, and Jazz Standards like Misty, I Remember April, Autumn Leaves, Black Orpheus, etc.

LESSON STYLE

I'm nothing if not energetic and relatable. My lessons are a safe space to be yourself, and to come more and more out of your shell. Music is a fantastic form of therapy, personal growth, and self-expression, and I do everything I can to foster these. Together, we'll set realistic goals and I will hold you to them, encouraging you constantly, and gladly calling you out on your fear or laziness. I know what it takes to get good, and I value getting there in a healthy, inspiring, fun way.

Awesome, we're on it!

We're reaching out to all our teachers in your area to see who would be a great match using the schedule and specific request you provided. Once a match is made we will send you an email to notify you of the match and the instructor will call you to discuss options in setting up your risk-free trial lesson.

Select all the days/times the student would be available to start lessons. Selecting "3pm - 7pm" means the student can start as early as 3pm or start as late as 7pm. It is important that you select as many days and the widest window of start times for each day as possible. That will help us make a match with one of our teachers.